Workplaces may expose women to breast cancer carcinogens

Women may be exposed to carcinogens at work, group says.

There are many factors that can increase the risk of a woman developing breast cancer, including being over 50 years old, having a family history, being childless, etc – but experts are warning about the role of environmental factors as well.

The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW), an organization dedicated to prevent occupational illnesses and injury and to promote the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of all workers, is pointing to carcinogens at the workplace as a possible reason for concern.

Some occupational factors  are related to higher rates of breast cancer, they say, and some exposures, especially at a younger age can be a factor.

They warn against exposure to

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), potent atmospheric pollutants that occur in oil, coal, and tar deposits, and are produced as byproducts of fuel burning
• Environmental tobacco smoke
• Electromagnetic fields (EMF)
• Pesticides – all workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling hazardous materials

The best chance against breast cancer is early detection through regular examinations, they say.

Source: Cottage Country Now

When masks are not enough

It’s a sad fact that many masks keep out only dust and particles and let chemicals and gases through.

RAP Series: Versatile air cleaners

Employers need to be vigilant about the health and safety of their workers and ensure the workplace has adequate ventilation and safety measures in place. An industrial strength air cleaner can help keep remove dangerous contaminants and circulate cleaner air.

Electrocorp’s versatile and powerful air cleaners are equipped with deep-bed activated carbon filter and HEPA plus optional UV germicidal filtration to remove many chemicals, gases, odors, fumes, particles, dust, viruses, bacteria and molds.

Electrocorp’s comprehensive product line includes air cleaners for the office and for a wide range of other workplaces.

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Air pollution proves to be a challenge for art conservators protecting masterpieces

Art restoration and conservation can be
impacted by indoor and outdoor air pollutants.

Some artists’ masterpieces have survived long decades or centuries and wars, but they are now facing a much graver threat: Damage from air pollution.

One such example is Da Vinci’s Last Supper in the refectory of Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church in Milan, one of Europe’s most polluted cities.

In order to conserve the painting and keep pollution to a minimum, officials installed a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

University of Southern California researchers were called to monitor the air quality at the site because their air samplers are quite and compact and don’t disturb visitors.

The monitoring showed that air pollution inside the church has been dramatically reduced, especially with respect to fine and coarse particulate matter. These were reduced by 88 and 94 percent respectively, from corresponding outdoor levels.

The next challenge will be indoor sources of pollution, the researchers warn, which often comes from the visitors themselves.

Even though the number of visitors and the length of visits is strictly regulated, the airborne lipids coming from visitors skin still appeared in significant quantities around the painting. They can mix with dust and soil the masterpiece, the authors warn.

The painting itself may also emit tiny particles of wax that was used in previous repair efforts.
 
Source: University of Southern California

Electrocorp's CleanBreeze 2

Stand-alone air cleaners for art conservation and restoration

For paintings and collection pieces at risk of soiling or damage from indoor air pollutants, Electrocorp has designed highly efficient portable air cleaners for art conservation and restoration, with a flexible arm and source capture attachment to keep the air as clean as possible.

The air cleaners remove a wide range of indoor air pollutants, including chemicals, VOCs, gases, fumes, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and molds with an activated carbon + HEPA filter combination.

Exclusive carbon blends are available to target specific contaminants and the units feature many other customizable options that can help conserve the artifacts.

Contact Electrocorp for more information: 1-866-667-0297.
  

Working when sick – why do we do it?

Montreal researchers study the phenomenon of “presenteeism”

Going to work when sick is not always
the most productive option, study shows.

It’s a familiar sight once the temperatures drop and the official “cold” season starts: Workplaces filled with employees sporting runny noses, a hacking cough or horrible congestion.

The question is, why do people go to work when they are sick? Are they insecure about their jobs or are they workplace troopers?

A new study from Concordia University in Montreal, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, has found that presenteeism, i.e. attending work when ill, isn't always a productive option.

While some workers seem to be able to overcome their symptoms and be fully functional, others tend to be present solely in person, but not in true form.

Caregivers, educators and team workers often present when sick

Caregivers and people working in early education, for example, report higher rates of presenteeism compared to people from other fields.

"Often, a person might feel socially obligated to attend work despite illness," says study author Gary Johns, a management professor at Concordia's John Molson School of Business, "while other employees feel organizational pressure to attend work despite medical discomfort."

The study followed 444 people for 6 months, and the participants reported an average of three presenteeism days as opposed to 1.8 absenteeism days due to illness.

Presenteeism was elevated among workers engaged in interdependent projects or teamwork. Those who were insecure about their jobs also engaged in more presenteeism.

What is the true cost of working
when ill?

The study author says that many organizations and businesses could spend more attention to the cost of presenteeism.

"Estimating the cost of absenteeism is more tangible than counting the impact of presenteeism," says Johns. "Yet a worker's absence — or presence — during illness can have both costs and benefits for constituents."

The importance of indoor air quality at the workplace

Poor IAQ can have a detrimental effect on workers’ well-being, productivity and health.

Electrocorp air cleaners offer an affordable and low maintenance solution to stagnant, inadequately ventilated office air.

The air cleaners can be easily integrated into an existing ventilation system, or used as stand-alone room air purifiers.

The air cleaners remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, odors, chemicals, molds, particles and dust by drawing the air through the deepest carbon bed filters, a medical-grade HEPA or Micro-HEPA and other filters.

For enhanced protection from contaminants such as bacteria and viruses, the air cleaners can be equipped with UV germicidal filtration.

For more information and options, contact Electrocorp.
 

Renovation industry gets IAQ guidelines from EPA

New protocols protect indoor air quality while enhancing home energy efficiency

Home energy upgrades can lead to poor indoor air quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades, an initiative designed to give the home energy industry the tools to identify, manage, and reduce health risks during projects.

The guidelines will help protect families, homeowners, occupants and workers during home energy upgrades, retrofits or remodeling projects, EPA officials said in a press release.

The new protocols involve a step-by-step process for conducting assessments to evaluate indoor air conditions and the potential for risks that may arise during residential energy upgrades.

They include recommended minimum specifications and best practices to maintain or improve indoor air quality.

The protocols serve as a companion document to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) guidelines for Home Energy Professionals.

The DOE guidelines are intended to foster the growth of a skilled work force that will increase the homeowner’s confidence in the retrofit industry and increase the demand for home energy retrofits.

The documents are available here:

• U.S. Department of Energy’s Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals 
• EPA's Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades

Improve indoor air quality with industrial air cleaners

A good health and safety program includes personal protective equipment, on-site assessments and industrial-strength air cleaning.

Electrocorp offers versatile, portable and highly efficient air cleaners for the home energy industry and construction/renovation businesses.

The air cleaners remove the widest range of pollutants such as chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold with a multistage filtration system of activated carbon and HEPA.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and recommendations.

See also: Avoid release of toxins during home energy renovations, experts urge